Uluru (Ayres Rock)

The flight over was nice only a few of hours, and we quite enjoyed the salad lunch provided. We arrived at the accomadation which was part backpackers, part hotel with full use of all the facilities i e swimming pool. After a nice swim, John and Louise retreated to the bar to cool down from the 40 heat & constant attack from the fly's! We invested in a nice head net each, which looked very SEXY!! (But very much needed)

Lou takes the Salada challenge

We awoke the next day 17/2/06, & to John's horror discovered that he had hit the BIG 30. It had to happen sometime, but I don't think he was at all pleased by being another year older. We thought we would treat ourselves to a $25 each all you can eat buffet breakfast, and took some extras for lunch too (Hey we're still on a budget!) We were picked up that afternoon to go on a 3 day, 2 night trip around Ayres Rock & Alice Springs. There was about 13 of us on the tour all around the same age, it turned out our tour guide Arnie was only 20 & the youngest out of the group. We first visited as Cultural cent re which was very informative & had air con. After that we were taken around Kata Tjuta, which is another rock formation. It was then onto the bus again & off to a viewing platform to take photo's of Ayres Rock. We were then driven to a another part of the park to watch the sun set on AR, whilst we sipped our sparkling wine & sang happy B-Day to John. It was the highlight of our day, as the rock changed from soo many colours & the sunset was beautiful. It was then time to head off to our camp site for dinner, and bed. John & Lou opted for a swag rather than a tent, & slept under the stars for the night.

Setting up camp

It was up & out early the next day (4.30am) to catch AR by sunrise, which was equally as lovely as the previous eve's sunset. We then had 3/4 hours to walk around the famous rock herself about 6k in total. We then headed back to camp for lunch & a clear up, only to discover that we had to go firewood collecting after (in the 42 heat!). That Arnie was a real slave driver & nobody got out of it, much to her amusement! We were rewarded with a swim in the camp pool & a campfire dinner + a few beers that eve. We had to opt for the tent that night, as it poured down just as we were going to bed.

Sunset at the Rock

We were aloud to lie in the next day (5am), as we were off to see the Kings Canyon. It was amazing & we spent few hours walking round, although we all dreaded Heart Attack Hill we surrvied. Lou didn't get too close to the edge, as she thought John might push her in, & she is scarred of heights. It was then a BBQ lunch & dip in the pool before heading off to Alice Springs in the afternoon on our 5 hour bus ride.

Sunset near King's Canyon

Uluru up close and personal